Tall Batsmen A Rarity
Tall would be an understatement for Zak Crawley.
The greatest batsmen in the world are usually of a low centre of gravity. For instance, legendary greats such as Bradman, Ponting and Tendulkar were all under 6 feet tall. Similarily contemporary greats such as Smith, Babar and Williamson also all stand under the 6 foot mark.
A tall Zak Crawley, at 6 foot 4, does not have a low centre of gravity. Nevertheless, Crawley has a well balanced, agile technique with the ability to play forward and back on both sides of the wicket.
Watch – Crawley Masterclass As England Take Control Against Pakistan
However the Kent man has good company amongst the ranks of tall England batsman.
Kevin Pietersen
Standing at 6’4″, KP is an all time great England batsman. Pietersen won multiple Ashes series, a T20 World Cup and was the scorer of over 12,000 runs in all forms of international cricket. In doing so Pietersen used his height and reach to take apart many a bowler.
Also, Read – Kevin Pietersen – England Cricket’s Biggest Mistake?
Graeme Hick
At 6’4″, Worcestershire’s Graeme Hick was a destroyer of county attacks. Early in his international career, Hick found the going tough, especially against the formidable West Indies. For the most part his height and raised back lift did not help his cause.
Hick promptly changed his technique by adopting a lower stance at the crease and the runs flowed. Hick amassed 11 international centuries over his career. This should have been 12 were it not for an infamous Michael Atherton declaration in Sydney leaving Hick stranded not out on 98.
Tony Greig
The late Tony Greig was a colossal 6’6″ tall. The former England captain had a memorable test career scoring 3,599 runs at an average of 40, and taking 141 wickets along the way. He lead his adopted country on 14 occasions including an Ashes success and a famous series win away to India.
Good Company For Tall Zak Crawley
So as Zak Crawley embarks on his international career, the Kent batsman is in very good company. History has shown being of a high centre of gravity is no impediment to success. He has all the skills necessary to be a terrific batsmen for England, for many years to come in international cricket.
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